Housing with integrated water line

ABSTRACT

A beverage system includes a pump that draws a set amount of a flavored concentrate into a mixing chamber ( 28 ) for mixing with water to form a beverage. A pump head ( 46 ) includes a piston opening that receives a piston ( 48 ) and a water port that defines a water flow path. A housing ( 62 ) includes an integral water port ( 40 ). Water from a water source flows along a water line and into the integral water port ( 40 ) of the housing ( 62 ). The water flows through the water port ( 40 ) of the pump head ( 46 ) and into the mixing chamber ( 28 ) to form the beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pump employed in a beveragesystem including a housing that attaches a motor to an assembly platethat includes an integrated water port, and a water conduit is attachedto the integrated water port to supply water to a mixing chamber to mixwith a flavored concentrate form a beverage.

Beverages systems are employed to make beverages. A flavored concentrateand water are mixed to form the beverage. Typically, the flavoredconcentrate is stored in a concentrate container. A piston of a pumpnutates within a pump head to draw a set amount of the flavoredconcentrate into a mixing chamber. Water is mixed with the flavoredconcentrate in the mixing chamber to form the beverage with a desiredconcentration.

In prior pumps that make beverages, the flavored concentrate is pumpedinto the mixing chamber with a pump, and water is separately pumped inthe mixing chamber with a separate pump. An external connection featureis used to connect a water conduit to the mixing chamber. The connectionfeature is complex and requires a lot of space. Water from a watersource directly flows into the mixing chamber for mixing with theflavored concentrate to form the beverage. A valve controls the flow ofwater into the mixing chamber to provide the beverage with the properconcentration. A drawback to prior pumps is that the pumps are large andthat the external connection feature is bulky.

Hence, there is a need in the art for a pump employed in a beveragesystem including a housing that attaches a motor to an assembly platethat includes an integrated water port, and a water conduit is attachedto the integrated water port to supply water to a mixing chamber to mixwith a flavored concentrate to form a beverage and that overcomes thedrawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A beverage system makes beverages, soft drinks, milkshakes, dairyproducts, other frozen desserts or any mixed product. A pump draws a setamount of a flavored concentrate into a mixing chamber. The flavoredconcentrate and water combine in the mixing chamber to form thebeverage.

A piston of a pump nutates within a pump head to draw the set amount ofthe flavored concentrate into the mixing chamber. The pump includes anadapter plate that aligns the piston and a housing of a motor. A lockingring attaches the adapter plate to the pump head.

The pump head includes a piston opening that receives the piston and awater port that defines a portion of a water flow path. The housingincludes an integral water port. A water conduit transfers water from awater source directly into the integral water port of the housing. Theend of the water conduit includes a fitting that fits over the waterport of the housing. The water flows into a water chamber in thehousing, into the water port of the pump head, along the water flow pathand into the mixing chamber for mixing with the concentrate to form thebeverage. A valve controls the flow of water along the water conduit.The water conduit is removably connected to the integral water port ofthe housing, and external connections are not needed.

These and other features of the present invention will be bestunderstood from the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings thataccompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a beverage system used to make abeverage;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pump of thebeverage system;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a mixing chamberof the pump;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a side view of a pump head and ahousing of the pump;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a front view of the pump head and thehousing;

FIG. 6 schemtically illustrates a top view of the pump head and thehousing;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a view of the water supply system;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the pump head;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an adapter plateof the pump;

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a side view of the adapter plate;

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a locking ringof the pump; and

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a top view of the pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a beverage system 20 of the presentinvention. The beverage system 20 can be used to make beverages, softdrinks, milkshakes, dairy products, juices, other frozen desserts or anymixed product. The beverage system 20 includes a concentrate container22 that contains a flavored concentrate 24 or syrup. In one example, theconcentrate container 22 is a sealed bag that is cooled by arefrigeration system (not shown).

A pump 26 draws a set amount of the flavored concentrate 24 from theconcentrate container 22 and into a mixing chamber 28. The flavoredconcentrate 24 from the concentrate container 22 flows along a conduit30 and into a concentrate inlet 32 of the pump 26. The pump 26 controlsthe flow and the amount of the flavored concentrate 24 that is dispensedby the pump 26 through a concentrate outlet 34 and into the mixingchamber 28. Chilled water from a water source 36 cooled by arefrigeration system (not shown) flows along a conduit 38 and enters thepump 26 through a water port 40. In one example, the conduit 38 is madeof copper. The pump 26 controls the flow of water through a water outlet42 and into the mixing chamber 28. All the conduit 30 and 38 to theinlets 32 and 40, respectively, of the mixing chamber 28 are insulated.

The flavored concentrate 24 and the water are thoroughly mixed in themixing chamber 28 to create the beverage having a desired concentration.The mixing chamber 28 is insulated to keep the mixed beverage cold. Inone example, the concentration of water to flavored concentrate 24 isapproximately 10:1 through 2:1. The beverage is then dispensed from themixing chamber 28 into a cup 44 for serving.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the pump 26 including a pump head 46.The flavored concentrate 24 in the concentrate container 22 flows alongthe conduit 30 and enters the pump head 46 through the concentrate inlet32. A portion of a piston 48 received in a compartment 50 of the pumphead 46 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes an irregularsurface 58. In one example, the irregular surface 58 can be a flattenedsurface or a substantially unshaped depression. A cavity is definedbetween the irregular surface 58 of the piston 48 and the walls of thecompartment 50. The compartment 50 has a fixed volume and does notexpand or contract during operation of the pump 26. In one example, thepiston 48 is made of stainless steel, and the compartment 50 is made ofsteel. The piston 48 controls the flow of the flavored concentrate 24from the concentrate container 22 and into the mixing chamber 28 (shownin FIG. 3) that is housed in a mixing chamber housing 29. The pump 26 isdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/955,175 filed Sep. 30,2004 and entitled POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMP, herein incorporatedentirely by reference.

The pump 26 includes a motor 52 that drives a motor shaft 54. The motor52 moves the piston 48 to draw the flavored concentrate 24 into thecavity through the concentrate inlet 32 and to release the flavoredconcentrate 24 from the cavity through the concentrate outlet 34. Theconcentrate outlet 34 functions as a top portion of the mixing chamber28. The motor shaft 54 includes a hub assembly 56. The hub assembly 56is a plastic molded part that holds brass components that allow for freerotation within the degrees of the pump 26 operation. As the motor shaft54 rotates, the hub assembly 56 also rotates. Engagement of the hubassembly 56 with the piston 48 causes the piston 48 to both movelinearly and to rotate. That is, the piston 48 nutates.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a housing 62 aligns the motor 52 and themotor shaft 54 and mounts the motor 52 to an assembly panel 98. Thehousing 62 includes a water port 40 that provides a path for the waterfrom the water source 36 to flow into a water chamber 112, through awater port 116 of a pump head 46, along a water flow path 70 and intothe mixing chamber 28 to form the beverage. The water port 40 isintegrated with the housing 62 in one piece.

The motor 52 is angled relative to the housing 62 at an angle A. Theangle A affects the volume of flavored concentrate 24 that is dispensedby the pump 26. The greater the angle A, the less flavored concentrate24 is dispensed in a single revaluation of the piston 48. The smallerthe angle A, the more flavored concentrate 24 is dispensed in a singlerevaluation of the piston 48. Preferably, angle A is approximately 16 to18°. By employing this angle A, approximately 1/32 of an ounce offlavored concentrate 24 is dispensed with each revaluation of the piston48.

A portion of the water port 116 of the pump head 46 is received in thewater chamber 112 of the housing 62, providing a fluid path. The housing62 includes a piston opening 124 that receives a portion of the piston48. The housing 62 also includes a plurality of protrusion or recesses132 that surround the piston opening 124. The housing 62 is made ofplastic.

FIG. 7 shows the flow path of the water from the water source 36 to thepump 26. The water flow from the water source 36 flows along the conduit38. The water is then chilled in an evaporator 128 of a refrigerationsystem (not shown). The chilled water then continues to flow along waterthe conduit 38. A valve 130 controls the flow of the chilled water alongthe conduit 38 and into the pump 26. The conduit 38 is removablyconnected to the water port 40. An end of the conduit 38 includes afitting 136 with an o-ring 131 around the fitting 136. The fitting 136of the conduit 30 is inserted in the water port 40. The o-ring 131provides a seal between the fitting 136 and the water port 40. Asecuring feature 138 secures the fitting 136 to the water port 40. Thesecuring feature 138 can be a clip, a pin or a threaded fastener.

The chilled water then enters the water port 40 of the housing 62 andflows into the water port 116 of the pump head 46. The water flows alongthe water flow path 70, and a predetermined amount of water flows intothe mixing chamber 28 to form the predetermined concentration ofbeverage. As shown in FIG. 6, an o-ring 126 surrounds the water port 116to provide a seal to prevent leakage of water. The conduit 38 isdirectly connected to the water port 40, and therefore externalconnection are not needed. An exiting mating feature on the pump head 46and the housing 62 can be used to form the water port 40.

A piston seal 60 provides a seal between the piston 48 and the pump head46 and provides a wiping action as the piston 48 moves in the pump head46. The piston seal 60 is made from an elastomeric material andovermolded onto a steel backing ring. A backing seal 66 provides abarrier between a wetted portion of the pump head 46 and the water port40 of the housing 62 to prevent accidental spillage or splashing of theflavored concentrate 24 or a cleaning solution from entering the hubassembly 56.

FIG. 8 illustrates the pump head 46. The pump head 46 includes acircumferential flange 94 that extends around the circumference of thepump head 46. The pump head 46 also includes a piston opening 114 thatreceives a portion of the piston 48 and the water port 116 that detectsa portion of the water flow path 70.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pump 26 further includes an adapterplate 64 that maintains a geometric relationship between the piston 48and the piston opening 124 of the housing 62 and minimizes movement ofthe piston 48. The adapter plate 64 includes a piston opening 67 thatreceives a portion of the piston 48 and a water opening 68 that receivesthe water port 116 of the pump head 46. The adapter plate 64 includes acircumferential flange 100. The circumferential flange 100 includes twoopposing ramped portions each having a lower part 108, an inclined part109 and a raised upper part 106. The adapter plate 64 also includes acorresponding another of a protrusion or recess 134 that surrounds thepiston opening 67. When the adapter plate 64 is assembled in the pump26, the protrusions or recesses 132 align with the another of theprotrusion or a recess 134 to align the adapter plate 64 and the housing62.

As shown in FIG. 11, a locking ring 72 attaches the adapter plate 64 tothe pump head 46, creating a geometric lock between the pump head 46 andthe adapter plate 64. The locking ring 72 secures the pump head 46 tothe adapter plate 64 to prevent leakage of the flavored concentrate 24and the water from the pump head 46 and prevent inaccuracy. The lockingring 72 is substantially circular in shape and is made of plastic. Thelocking ring 72 includes a first side 74 with a plurality of firstinward tabs 76 and an opposing second side 78 with a plurality of secondinward tabs 80. In one example, the first side 74 includes two firstinward tabs 76, and the second side 78 includes two second inward tabs80. A gap 92 is defined between the inward tabs 76 and 80. Outwardfingers 82 extend from the locking ring 72 to provide a surface for theoperator to grab when rotating the locking ring 72.

The locking ring 72 and the pump head 46 are provided as a subassembly.The locking ring 72 is forced onto the pump head 46 such that thecircumferential flange 94 of the pump head 46 is received in the gap 92of the locking ring 72. The locking ring 72 freely rotates relative tothe pump head 46.

When the components are installed, the circumferential flange 100 of theadapter plate 64 is positioned to be received in the gap 92 of thelocking ring 72. That is, both the circumferential flange 100 of theadapter plate 64 and the circumferential flange 94 of the pump head 46are received in the gap 92. The first inward tabs 76 of the locking ring72 engage the adapter plate 64, and the second inward tabs 80 of thelocking ring 72 engage the pump head 46. The locking ring 72 is rotatedrelative to the pump head 46 in a first direction until each of thefirst inward tabs 76 engage one of the raised upper parts 106 of theadapter plate 64 to wedge the locking ring 72 in the locked position andto attach the adapter plate 64 to the pump head 46, as shown in FIG. 9.The engagement of the locking ring 72 and the raised upper part 106 ofthe adapter plate 64 prevents the locking ring 72 from further rotation,and the locking ring 72 is then stopped in a locked position.

Although a beverage system 20 is illustrated and described, it is to beunderstood that the pump 26 of the present invention can be used inother systems. For example, the pump 26 can be used in a soft drinksystem. In this example, the pump 26 pumps flavored syrup which is mixedwith carbonated water to make a soft drink. Alternately, the pump 26pumps flavored syrup which is mixed with a frozen substance to create afrozen dessert.

The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles of theinvention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within thescope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwisethan using the example embodiments which have been specificallydescribed. For that reason the following claims should be studied todetermine the true scope and content of this invention.

1. A pump comprising: a motor; a piston moveable by the motor; and ahousing that mounts the motor and receives the piston, wherein thehousing includes an integral housing water port.
 2. The pump as recitedin claim 1 further including a water source and a water line, whereinthe water line provides water from the water source and into theintegral housing water port. 3 The pump as recited in claim 2 furtherincluding an evaporator that cools the water in the water line.
 4. Thepump as recited in claim 2 wherein the water line includes a fitting,and the fitting is received in the integral housing water port.
 5. Thepump as recited in claim 1 further including a valve that controls aflow of water into the housing.
 6. The pump as recited in claim 1wherein the housing attaches the motor to an assembly panel.
 7. The pumpas recited in claim 1 wherein the housing includes a housing pistonopening that receives the piston.
 8. The pump as recited in claim 1further including a pump head including a pump head piston opening thatreceives the piston and a pump head water port through which water flowsand an adapter plate including an adapter plate piston opening throughwhich the piston is received and a water opening that receives the pumphead water port.
 9. The pump as recited in claim 8 further including alocking ring that secures the adapter plate to the pump head.
 10. Thepump as recited in claim 8 wherein the integral housing water port is influid communication with the pump head water port.
 11. The pump asrecited in claim 1 further including a mixing chamber, wherein thepiston moves to draw a concentrate into the mixing chamber to combinewith water drawn into the mixing chamber through the integral housingwater port to form a beverage in the mixing chamber.
 12. The pump asrecited in claim 1 wherein an angle is defined between the motor and thehousing, and the angle is approximately 16 to 18°.
 13. A pumpcomprising: a motor; a piston moveable by the motor to draw aconcentrate into a mixing chamber; a housing that mounts the motor,wherein the housing includes an integral housing water port and a pistonopening that receives the piston; a water line including a fitting thatis received in the integral housing water port; a pump head including apump head piston opening that receives the piston and a pump head waterport in fluid communication with the integral housing water port; anadapter plate including an adapter plate piston opening that receivesthe piston and a water opening that receives the pump head water port ofthe pump head; and the mixing container, wherein water from a watersource is drawn along the water line and into the mixing container tomix with the concentrate to form a beverage.
 14. The pump as recited inclaim 13 wherein the housing attaches the motor to an assembly panel.15. The pump as recited in claim 13 further including an evaporator thatcools the water in the water line.
 16. The pump as recited in claim 13further including a valve that controls a flow of the water into theintegral housing water port.
 17. The pump as recited in claim 13 furtherincluding a locking ring that secures the adapter plate to the pumphead.